prenatal yoga

mamashanti's prenatal yoga classes are a contemporary approach to the ancient art of yoga.

In each class we explore the significant role yoga can play in active childbirth, through stretching, deep breathing and guided relaxation. Practiced through out pregnancy, these techniques can be drawn upon during labour to increase your chance of having a positive experience of childbirth and a return to fitness.

Classes are designed to develop feelings of well-being through gentle and progressive stretching integrated with breathing exercises. With regular practice, you will appreciate a more supple and flexible body; increased muscle tone and pelvic stability; improved posture and balance, and manageable back pain.

some benefits of practicing yoga during pregnancy

It feels great – to come to class, meet other pregnant women, stretch, breath and relax all in an environment that's nourishing and uplifting. Regular practice of prenatal yoga will bring about mental and emotional clarity, a greater sense of well-being and the ability to cope with the rapid pace of change that comes with being pregnant. By practicing prenatal yoga you will acquire powerful skills for coping with the ups and downs of daily life – great preparation for parenthood!

A time to consciously connect with your baby – practicing prenatal yoga gives you the time and the practical means to connect with your growing child, to fine tune the rhythms of your day and patterns of your week to accommodate your experience of pregnancy.

Lay down the foundations of motherhood – we work with simple and effective breathing and visualisation techniques to consciously create an internal dialogue between mother and child that is positive and nurturing and will last a life time.

Enhance the flow of energy – prenatal yoga assists on a physical level to improve your posture, this can free up energy that would otherwise be consumed by the task of carrying your growing body around.

Relieve back pain - with regular practice, you will appreciate a more supple and flexible body; increased muscle tone and pelvic stability; improved posture and balance, and diminished back pain.

Make space for your baby – regular practice of prenatal yoga will encourage your body to gently open to make room for your growing baby and prepare for childbirth. Techniques that involve sitting on the floor, squatting and hip opening exercises work to encourage your muscles to relax, become more flexible and gain strength, without force or strain.

Optimal fetal positioning – the asanas (stretches) that we use have been selected to encourage your baby to gently take on the optimal fetal position for childbirth – head down and anterior presentation (baby's back is directed towards your tummy).

Empowering – prenatal yoga has the capacity to empower women to see ourselves as strong and capable and can diminish fears associated with impending childbirth. By regularly practicing yoga through out your pregnancy, you will become empowered with the mental and emotional flexibility and fortitude to face the challenges that childbirth may bring.

And finally, just what constitutes daily prenatal yoga practice? - each woman's experience of pregnancy and childbirth are unique and changes happen at least on a daily basis. It's important to understand that a days' practice may be to simply take ten minutes to stop and consciously breathe and tune in to yourself and your baby.

It's all about consciously moving, breathing, standing, sitting, stretching. It's about choosing to make your experience of pregnancy more comfortable and more joyful.

Who can practice prenatal yoga? These classes are terrific for women from the start of the second term of pregnancy; all levels of fitness ; for both new comers and experienced yoga students. Classes are being held each week in two lovely yoga studios in Thornbury .

Resonate Yoga 159 Darebin Road Thornbury
Thursday mornings 10:00 – 11:30
Casual classes $16 full / $12 concession or prepay 5 classes $60 full / $55 concession

Prana House Level 1/ 885 High Street Thornbury
Friday mornings 10:00 – 11:30
Casual classes $18 full/ $16 concession or prepay 10 classes $160 full/ $140 concession

Download flyer for current classes

prenatal yoga for partners

These classes offer a wonderful opportunity to practice prenatal yoga with your partner, mum, best friend, or birth assistant. Learn with your partner the many ways yoga stretches and breathing practices will assist to bring you comfort during pregnancy and prepare you for childbirth. These classes focus on the yogic techniques that contribute to active labour and birth.

Suitable for first-time parents or as excellent refresher classes, these classes are held in a relaxed atmosphere that whilst challenging are fun and light hearted, with plenty of time for individual attention. These classes are 1½ hours in duration and are run each month. By participating you can expect to acquire information and techniques that will help you to

understand the role of yoga to develop fitness, improve posture and encourage better positioning of your baby for birth prevent and manage aches, pains and minor ailments that may be experienced through the course of pregnancy find ways for partners to maximise their involvement and enjoyment of pregnancy and labour focus on and share their feelings about labour, birth and the impending arrival of your new baby become very familiar through practical work on positions, partner participation and massage of the many ways partners can contribute to making your experience of pregnancy and child birth a positive one practice breath awareness and deep relaxation for use in pregnancy and childbirth learn many practical ways to assist during active childbirth learn how to create a calm and reassuring atmosphere during labour, that will help you both cope with the unknowns that may come with the experience of childbirth shift perceptions you may hold about labour and childbirth from being an experience you feel you need to manage or control to an experience that with considered preparation and support can be one that you can accept and go with

Contact Nina for monthly session details

$40 full/ $38 concession for each pair. Bookings Essential